Since 1985, the lawyers at Shapiro & Appleton have dedicated their practice to helping people when they need it most. Our clients are usually down and out after a serious accident, struggling financially, physically, and emotionally. We take pride in advocating for the downtrodden and injured and getting the financial restitution they are owed.

One of the most effective ways to choose a top-notch attorney is by reviewing their professional accolades and awards. Independent, third-party organizations bestow these recognitions and distinctions and symbolize a level of excellence in the profession.

We are very proud of the success we have had in obtaining large settlements, arbitration awards, judgments, and jury verdicts. Our success is based mainly on our experience in courtrooms across Virginia.

Featuring breaking news stories in Virginia, North Caroling and nationwide. Our news stories about accidents, events, injuries, and lawsuits are researched and published by our team of experienced personal injury attorneys and could help you learn more about your personal injury case.

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By adapting and being familiar with not only Virginia and North Carolina Courts, but also Courts throughout the Eastern United States, our attorneys have developed a set of skills that can be incredibly useful in every sort of significant personal injury case.

The attorneys with our firm actively engage in continuing legal education seminars in the field of injury law. Our lawyers have also regularly delivered lectures to personal injury lawyers not only in Virginia but at national trial organizations.

To stay on the leading edge of personal injury law, all of the firm's attorneys are active in local, state, and national personal injury trial law organizations. We also retain the services of forensic animators, videographers, and computer specialists to produce compelling evidence that will persuade a jury to award maximum damages.

Is It Legal to Drive in Virginia with Headphones On?This video focuses on whether a driver can wear headphones while driving in Virginia.

Should I Give a Statement to the Adverse Auto Insurance Adjuster in my Virginia Car Accident?

After a wreck, there are some basic things that need to be done. The police need to be contacted from the scene, medical care should be sought, and you need to advise your insurance company. Those things seem obvious and are under your control, to a point. Something else often confronted is a call from the adjuster of the other driver’s insurance company. Do you have to talk to them or return their call? The answer is “No,”

You have a responsibility to notify and cooperate with your insurance company. That responsibility does not extend to the other driver’s insurance company. Our Virginia accident attorneys typically decline requests for statements from our clients to the other driver’s insurance company. There are several reasons to decline to give such a statement.

The other driver’s insurance company is going to try to develop evidence they can use to defend any claim you are going to make against their insured client. If you agree to speak with the adjuster, they will take all the responses you provided to their questions and compare those answers to any other statements you have made, such as to any law enforcement officers who were at the scene of the crash.

If you file a lawsuit at a later date, the statement may be used by the insurance company’s lawyer to impeach you if your responses at deposition or trial (usually several months or even years later) vary from the answers you provide the insurance adjuster.

The questions may be worded in such a way as to elicit vague responses that can be interpreted in such a way that can be used against you in the future. For example, the adjuster may lead the conversation by commenting how quickly the crash may have happened how upset you may have been right after the crash, making it difficult to remember details of the accident. If you agree that you were shaken up at the crash site, the insurance company could later use this “admission” to call your memory of the crash into question.

If you do give a statement to the other driver’s insurance company, and you do not retain an attorney, remember you are entitled to a copy of your statement under Virginia law (8.01-47). Exercise that right and get a copy of your statement from the adjuster.